BLAINE, Minn. – Bethel Men's Hockey closed out the regular season Saturday evening with a 3-4 overtime loss to St. Olaf at Bethel University Arena, officially securing the No. 4 seed in the MIAC Playoffs and setting up a quarterfinal rematch with the Oles on Wednesday night.
The Royals struck first in the closing seconds of the opening period when junior Joe Westlund scored with just two seconds remaining at the 19:58 mark. George Peterson assisted on the play, giving Bethel a 1-0 lead heading into the first intermission.
Bethel extended its advantage early in the second period as freshman Ethan Hull found the back of the net at 3:22. Peterson and Westlund each picked up assists on the goal, pushing the Royals ahead 2-0.
St. Olaf responded with a pair of power-play goals later in the period to even the score, but Bethel answered once again. Senior Logan Anderson restored the Royals' lead at the 17:24 mark of the second period, finishing a play set up by Jake Svenddal and Jameson O'Flynn to give Bethel a 3-2 advantage heading into the third.
The Oles tied the game early in the third period, and despite chances for both teams down the stretch, neither side was able to find the go-ahead goal in regulation. The game was ultimately decided in overtime, where St. Olaf scored at the 3:54 mark to hand Bethel the 3-4 loss.
Despite the result, Bethel finished the regular season 13-11-1 overall and 9-7-0 in conference play, earning the No. 4 seed in the MIAC Playoffs. The Royals will host No. 5 seed St. Olaf on Wednesday, February 25 at Bethel University Arena in Blaine. Bethel and St. Olaf will meet for the fourth time this season and the 71st time in program history, with the Oles holding a 39-24-7 advantage in the all-time series, though the Royals earned a 2-0 road win in Northfield earlier this weekend before Saturday's overtime contest.
Bethel now turns its focus to postseason play, where the Royals will look to defend home ice and extend their season knowing the winner advances to face top-seeded Saint John's in the semifinals.
